Leading Labour MP calls for independent exs inquiry

  Leading Labour backbencher Tony Wright MP has written to Sir Christopher Kelly the chair of the independent Committee on Standards in Public Life to inquiry into MPs expenses and allowances. The BBC report cites Mr Wright as saying:

"If this is not something for your committee to respond to, in view of the reasons for its existence, I do not know what is...

"We urgently need an inquiry that is independent and authoritative. Only your committee can undertake this, and the restoration of public trust demands it.

"It is simply not acceptable, in terms of public trust, for an internal Commons committee to be the only body to examine this issue."

Not before time. The internal politics are set out in his letter in no uncertain terms:

He added: "You told me that you had only accepted the chairmanship of the committee on the basis that it would not be prevented from examining any area of concern.

"I suspect that there is pressure on you currently not to get involved. I urge you to resist such pressure and to insist on an immediate inquiry being launched by the committee. This is precisely what it was set up for.

"In my view you would be fully entitled to say that you were unable to continue in your role if you were in any way prevented from undertaking this inquiry now."

After the departure of Kelly's predecessor, Sir Alistair Graham, honourable members need another high profile resignation from this post like a hole in the head.